By Olga Konstantinou
Every day, the Fire Department remains on constant operational alert, responding to dozens of calls for assistance. Among fire incidents and special services, a significant number of calls turn out to be false alarms. Official data show that this phenomenon is on a steady upward trend. In 2023, 652 such calls were recorded; in 2024 the number rose to 736, and in 2025 it reached 988, marking an increase of approximately 51% in just two years. The overwhelming majority, however, is not due to malicious intent, but rather to the heightened awareness of citizens who mistake other activities for potential fire hazards and rush to notify the authorities. Here, “false” translates to an incorrect assessment of risk.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We receive a lot of routine calls during the period when farmers are plowing their fields. You see, when they’re plowing, they might see dust in the air. Dust kicked up by our fellow citizens passing by can be mistaken for smoke from a fire, and we receive quite a few calls regarding such cases. Also, to mention one more thing, someone at home might light a traditional oven to cook food, and a neighbor might see smoke and assume it’s a fire.”
Andreas Kettis, Fire Department Spokesperson
Greater public awareness appears to be linked both to public information campaigns and to the tragic consequences of the major wildfires Cyprus has experienced in recent years. However, even when a call turns out to be a false alarm, the Fire Department is required to respond, deploying personnel and vehicles to investigate it.
“And certainly, we investigate every call to determine whether it is a fire or not. Beyond that, as for how much it affects us—yes, it affects the Fire Department’s operational readiness, because in order to respond to any call, personnel are certainly dispatched, fire trucks are dispatched to respond to and investigate any call. However, when there is a suspicion that a fire may be present, we, as the fire department, are obligated to respond and investigate it.”
Prompt notification of the authorities remains crucial; however, a proper assessment of a potential fire can prevent unnecessary mobilizations. Citizens are urged to carefully observe what they notice, provided this can be done safely, without under any circumstances putting themselves in danger or delaying notification of the relevant authorities when there is a genuine suspicion of a fire.
“But I wouldn’t say, for example, to a fellow citizen who is in a car and driving down a highway, ‘Stop and look,’ because that could create other problems. So, when there’s a chance for any of our fellow citizens to take a closer look and verify with their own eyes that it’s nothing other than a fire—or that it’s not something else developing into a fire— that would certainly be a good thing.”
Malicious False Calls
Beyond misjudgments, the Fire Department also faces deliberately malicious calls. These are cases in which the caller knowingly triggers a response without there being a real emergency. This practice is condemned by the Service, as it results in the unjustified mobilization of resources that may be needed for a genuine emergency.
Deliberately making a prank call to the Fire Department constitutes a criminal offense, with the law providing for a fine or even imprisonment for those convicted. Such cases are documented and investigated in cooperation with the police.
“Let me clarify that malicious prank calls are very rare. Extremely rare. Beyond that, when such a call is received, it is certainly investigated. The call number is certainly recorded, and the police certainly take charge of the investigation. And certainly, in many cases, we have identified individuals who were engaging in such activities. Beyond that, I want to say that whenever a call comes in to the fire department, they will certainly respond. They certainly don’t know if it’s malicious. The area will be thoroughly investigated. Thoroughly. So that we can be sure there is nothing there.”
The motives behind malicious calls can vary, ranging from a desire to cause a commotion to an attempt to create problems for others. In any case, the Fire Department has no way of knowing in advance whether a report is true or false and must investigate every incident.
“Some people may enjoy seeing the fire department arrive at their location, hearing the sirens, and witnessing the intense activity of fire trucks. You can’t predict what’s going through someone’s mind. Whether they enjoy what I just mentioned, or want to cause trouble for a fellow human being, or I don’t know what else, that’s what might be going through anyone’s mind—though they certainly aren’t in their right mind to do such a thing.”
This same category of incidents also includes cases of false alarms triggered by security systems in buildings. In these cases, the alarm may be caused by a mechanical or electrical malfunction, with no actual fire present.
Wildfires Down 30%
At the same time, the Fire Department paints a positive picture regarding wildfires. According to the Service’s assessment, 2026 has seen a 30% decrease compared to previous years, a development that is particularly encouraging.
“It appears, at least when it comes to wildfires, that we are about 30% below levels seen in other years. These are figures that, honestly, in all my years of service, I’ve never seen such reductions before.”
According to Andreas Kettis, this positive picture is the result of the cooperation and contribution of all relevant government agencies and services, with prevention and coordination serving as key factors in the effort to limit wildfires.
Watch Olga Konstantinou’s report:
